Program Description

This program provides grants for public library construction projects to improve their facilities and to meet their communities' needs. Public libraries can apply under two grant categories : 

• Category #1 - 80% of total monies fund projects that create additional usable space (i.e. new buildings, additions, and renovations).
• Category #2 - 20% of total monies fund projects that improve existing space (i.e. handicapped accessibility, correcting building and fire code violations, remodeling to accommodate new technologies, and energy conservation).

Other Construction Grants:
If the properties are listed on the State Register of Historic Places and owned by non-profit organizations or municipalities, you can apply for a Historic Restoration Fund (HRF) Grants from the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, History Division.  It  may be used for the restoration, rehabilitation or purchase of historic buildings, structures, and objects as well as the investigation of archaeological sites. 

Check out the Kresge Foundation  and Kresge Foundation- Green Building Initiative  for grants.

Program Information

Amount of Funds Available
The State Library anticipates that approximately $4.5 million will be available in 2012 for distressed municipalities (under "Enterprise Zone Program related publications") and no funding for nondistressed municipalities. We will only be accepting applications from distressed municipalities.  Application deadline is September 4, 2012.

Active Grant Projects (PDF)

Eligibility
All public libraries in the state of Connecticut

Amount of the Grant
The grant is one-third (1/3) of the total cost of the project. The maximum grant is $1,000,000, and the minimum grant is $6,666 (a total project cost of $20,000).

Key Dates

• By late April - Grant Program for Public Library Construction: Timetable and Guidelines (PDF) and Application (Excel) are available by downloading them or they will be sent upon request.
• By early June - The Notice of Intent form is due.
• By September 4 - The completed applications are due by 4 pm in the grant administrator's office.
• By late November - The State Library Board takes action on the grants.
• By January at the earliest - State Bond Commission approves the grants if library has local funding in place.
• By 3 years after State Library Board approval, library must have local funding.
• By 18 months following Bond Commission approval - The project must be initiated (sign with a building contractor).

Statutory References
Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) Section 11-24c

Funding Source
State: State Bonding Fund

How to Apply

Timetable & Guidelines and Application
Grant Program for Public Library Construction: Timetable and Guidelines (PDF- regulations for the program) and Application (Excel) are available by download.

Construction Grant Information
Grant information presentation - How to Apply (Powerpoint presentation)

The required U.S. Geological map can be purchased from the DEP Bookstore or check out Topozone.com, where you can print maps. Information on the Conservation Development Policies Plan, 2004-2009 is located on the Office of Policy and Management's web page.  The AENGLC (wealth) rank is located on the State Department of Education, Division of Finance and Internal Operations website.  Connecticut Population Projections were published by the Connecticut State Data Center at the University of Connecticut on May 16, 2007, after a hiatus of at least a decade.  If you are planning to apply for a construction grant, please use 2030 projected population figures when completing the Library Space Planning Guide.

The construction grants must comply with the DAS Contractor Prequalification Program.  The DAS Contractor Prequalification Program (Public Act 03-215) requires all contractors to prequalify "before they can bid on any construction, alteration, remodeling, repair or demolition of any public building, for work by the state or a municipality, estimated to cost more than $500,000 and which is funded in whole or in part with state funds."  Use the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Contractor Prequalification Directory Search.  Also, DAS has compiled a list of persons or firms, Debarred Contractors, that have been debarred in accordance with Section 31-53a of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended. State Public Library Construction projects should not be using these contractors.

After Receiving a Grant

Construction grant paperwork (mostly downloaded as PDFs)

1. Materials to be sent to the Connecticut State Library
2. Contract Materials (contract sent separately)
   • Grant Contract Instructions for Association Libraries
   • Grant Contract Instructions for Municipal Libraries
   • Notice of Applicant Funding
   • Association Libraries only:  Lien example, Ethics Affidavits & Certifications for State Contracts (For grants over $50,000 but less than $500,000 complete forms 1 and 5. For grants over $500,000 complete forms 1,5, and 6) and Nondiscrimination Certificate (For grants under $50,000 complete form B. For grants $50,000 and over complete forms C and either D or E.) 
3. Information for Contractor and Architect
4. Statements that should be included in the specifications
5. DAS prequalfication information for individual contracts over $500,000
   • DAS Municipalities & Awarding Authorities and the Contractor Prequalification Program
   • DAS Prequalification Certificate example
   • DAS Contractor Prequalification Directory Search
   • DAS Update Statement
   • DAS Performance Evaluation
6. Sign information
7. Notice of Contract Award form
8. Checklist of grant process
   
9. Helpful Library Building Links

Construction grant payment

• Payment form - Please submit two original notarized payment forms with seal.
• Payment Information for Association Libraries
• Payment Information for Municipal Libraries
• Final Expenditure Report Form (accompanies last payment request)
  

For more information, contact:

Tom Newman, Library Specialist
Connecticut State Library
231 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT  06106-1537
860-757-6573
tom.newman@ct.gov